Real Madrid will look to make it three wins in a row as they host Espanyol for their next La Liga fixture on Saturday.
Los Blancos started their UEFA Champions League title defense with a 3-1 win over VfB Stuttgart midweek. Goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and Endrick brought home the victory for Real Madrid.
Espanyol are also on a good run of form, with their 3-2 victory over Alaves in their last game serving as their second consecutive win in La Liga.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: ESPN+, ESPN App
This game is not available for live TV broadcast for United States residents. Streaming options are available on ESPN+ and ESPN App.
What time does Real Madrid vs. Espanyol kick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain and kicks off on Saturday, September 21 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
Date | Kickoff time | |
Eastern Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 3:00 p.m. |
Central Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 2:00 p.m. |
Mountain Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 1:00 p.m. |
Pacific Time | Sat, Sep. 21 | 12:00 p.m. |
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol lineups, team news
Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Rodrygo all returned from injuries to take part in the Champions League game and should be fine for this league match.
Eduardo Camavinga is still sidelined with an MCL injury, while Dani Ceballos nurses an ankle injury and Brahim Diaz has a hamstring issue. David Alaba is a long-term absentee.
Carlo Ancelotti may decide to bring back Eder Miliato to the centre of the defence after experimenting with Dani Carvajal at centre-back against Stuttgart.
Real Madrid predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy — Valverde, Tchouameni Bellingham — Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Injured: Camavinga, Ceballos, B. Diaz, Alaba
Suspended: None
The only two players missing for Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez are Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito. Calero is a big miss, having slotted into the back line after the first two games but cropping up with an ankle injury, while Exposito recovers from an ACL tear suffered back in January.
Espanyol predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): J. Garcia (GK) — El Hilali, Kumbulla, L. Cabrera, C. Romero — Tejero, Kral, Aguado, Carreras — Puado, Veliz.
Injured: Calero, Exposito.
Suspended: None
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol Prediction
Real Madrid come into this game with a slight psychological edge having defeated Espanyol in all of their last five La Liga meetings.
While it took them some time to find their form, Real Madrid are starting to overcome their injury issues and looking at their absolute best. Despite Espanyol’s run of form coming into this game, Los Blancos should win it comfortably.
- Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol
La Liga fixture schedule this week
Friday, September 20
- Alaves vs. Sevilla (3:00 p.m. ET)
Saturday, September 21
- Real Valladolid vs. Real Sociedad (8:00 a.m. ET)
- Osasuna vs. Las Palmas (10:15 a.m. ET)
- Valencia vs. Girona (12:30 p.m. ET)
- Real Madrid vs Espanyol (3:00 p.m. ET)
Sunday, September 22
- Getafe vs. Leganes (8:00 a.m. ET)
- Athletic Club vs. Celta Vigo (10:15 a.m. ET)
- Villarreal vs. Barcelona (12:30 p.m. ET)
- Rayo Vallecano vs. Atletico Madrid (3:00 p.m. ET)
Monday, September 23
- Real Betis vs. Mallorca (3:00 p.m. ET)